WASHINGTON — At a Town Hall-style meeting today, Gov. Chris Christie told the crowd, “I never worked in Trenton before I became governor it’s all very
confusing to me ... this is like an Alice in Wonderland place.”

The state's Democrats "believe they can spend their money better than you
can," he told the crowd of about 800 at Warren County Technical School.

He targeted Democrats like state Sen. Nick Sacco, who he charged with
holding multiple offices and collecting benefits at the expense of
taxpayers.

“One public salary at the time, that should suffice for
anybody,” Christie said.

The governor called for ethics reforms that would ban such dual-office holding, require more transparency on financial
disclosures and other “common sense reforms.”

He wants to discontinue cash payouts for unused sick
days for government employees, the cost of which accumulated for
municipalities statewide is $880 million, he said.

“What has happened in New Jersey is over a period of time, nobody
ever gets sick apparently. We’re the healthiest state because nobody
ever takes a sick day. What happens is at the end, we pay them for
having them not be sick.”

He cited an instance in Passaic County where he said four police
officers retired at the same time and the combined sick leave payout was
more than $900,000. The town borrowed money to fund the payout, he said.

He touted his property tax cap signed two years ago, but said there are
still some loopholes that need to be closed. “There are some ingenious
payers out there. I can’t raise the property tax so I’m going to charge
you several fees. Garbage fees, recreation fees, pool fees."

He charged Democrats with promoting reckless spending and blocking his efforts to give tax cuts.

He gave an example of an effort to pay $66 million to towns “who are overburdened by cemeteries.”

“Only the Democrats could figure out a way to make the dead a burden
on New Jersey taxpayers,” he said.

New Jerseyans, he said, “need to get their taxes cut, especially when
working men and women are having trouble the way they are. We need to
take less of their money."

He touted his pension reform, which he said increased the amount
people need to pay into the system and impose stricter penalties on
early retirement.

He discussed his teacher tenure reform, which he said will be good for “the really good teachers.” Christie encouraged students to work hard and to seek higher education — whether it be a college degree or learning a trade.

The governor touched briefly on national issues, such as the country’s
national debt and his perception of America's role in the world. “The
world needs American values,” he said. “People are killing each other
all over the place.”

Christie argued in favor of two public questions on the
November ballot, one of which would append the constitution and
require judges to pay “their fair share” for pensions and a second which
would fund public colleges for the first time since 1988.

Before taking any questions from the group, he warned participants against trying to show off to friends, or trying to “take the governor of New Jersey out for a walk."

A woman from Harmony Township asked why New Jersey was “not a senior-friendly state,” citing high taxes on pensions.

Christie said he would be in favor of doing away with the state inheritance tax, but deferred to Democrats who he said are limiting his ability to address the issue. “I can’t do this by executive fiat.”

“The problem is people are not leaving because they want to — they’re leaving because they have to,” he said, adding that he, too, hopes to retire in New Jersey one day.

Belvidere Mayor Linda Stettler complimented Christie, who she said makes “our job as local officials easier.”

Maurice Badway, a senior at the technical school, said seniors are wondering about their future after high school and are concerned about their prospects of finding a job.

Christie received mostly applause and support from the audience.

Christie said he enjoys the town hall meetings for a chance to get out
of his “bubble.” Today was his 98th such meeting during his tenure as
governor. He answered less than 10 questions, but said he had to finish
sooner than usual to make it in time for a ceremony for his daughter at
her high school, or the “otherwise friendly, affable first lady of New
Jersey will have my head.”

Christie began the meeting by signing a bill that designates Route 31, through Mercer, Hunterdon and Warren Counties, the “Tri-County Purple Heart Memorial Highway.” The Purple Heart Chapter 700, based in Washington, hopes to raise money to have six signs installed honoring veterans.